Reno Police Chief Corey Solferino joins Sarah Johns for an important conversation about a side of policing the public doesn't always see—the mental health and emotional well-being of the men and women who serve in law enforcement.

After 27 years on the job, Chief Solferino shares how the law enforcement profession has changed in the way it recognizes and responds to trauma. He discusses the cumulative impact of witnessing tragic events throughout a career and candidly reflects on his own experience processing emotions and experiences that can build up over decades of service.

The conversation also explores how unresolved trauma can affect an officer's personal life, behavior and interactions with the community. Chief Solferino explains why early intervention, peer support, professional counseling and confidential mental health resources can help officers process difficult experiences before they become larger problems.

Plus, learn how the Reno Police Department and City of Reno are taking a multifaceted approach to officer wellness—from peer support and clinicians to physical fitness, mindfulness and mental health resources designed to meet officers from different generations where they are.   

🚨 Segment Highlights:

🧠 The Mental Health of Law Enforcement Officers

• Officers can experience repeated exposure to trauma throughout their careers

• The cumulative effects may continue long after an individual call ends

• Law enforcement agencies are increasingly recognizing the importance of officer wellness

🎒 Unpacking the Emotional “Backpack”

• Difficult calls can accumulate emotionally throughout a career

• Some experiences carry significantly greater emotional weight than others

• Learning how to process those experiences is an important part of long-term wellness

🚔 Why Officer Wellness Matters to the Community

• Reno Police invests significantly in training and equipping its officers

• Unresolved trauma can carry into an officer's personal and professional life

• Early support can benefit officers, their families, colleagues and interactions with the public

🤝 Peer Support & Early Intervention

• Officers can have access to colleagues who understand the realities of the profession

• Supervisors and peers can help recognize when someone may be struggling

• Support can include peer programs, clinicians, therapy and other wellness resources

🔒 Mental Health Support & Confidentiality

• Confidentiality can make officers more comfortable seeking help

• Asking for support doesn't always have to begin with the officer

• Colleagues can play an important role in recognizing behavioral or emotional changes

💪 Building Wellness & Resilience

• There is no one-size-fits-all approach across generations of officers

• Exercise, counseling, mindfulness and self-reflection can all play a role

• The long-term goal is balancing the demands of public service with personal wellness and resilience

🌐 Learn More:

Learn more about the Reno Police Department and its work serving the Reno community through the City of Reno.

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